St. Patrick's Day Countdown

St. Patrick's Day is celebrated on March 17 each year, commemorating Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, who died on March 17, 461 AD. Patrick was a Romano-British Christian missionary who became famous for bringing Christianity to Ireland in the 5th century. Legend holds that he used a three-leaf shamrock to explain the concept of the Holy Trinity, which is why the shamrock became Ireland's national symbol. Originally a religious feast day in the Catholic Church, St. Patrick's Day became a public holiday in Ireland in 1903. Irish immigrants brought the celebration to North America, where it evolved into a large cultural celebration. The first St. Patrick's Day parade in North America is recorded in Boston in 1737. New York City's parade, which began in 1762, is one of the world's largest — drawing over 2 million spectators annually. Modern St. Patrick's Day traditions include wearing green clothing (it was historically blue that was associated with St. Patrick — green came later), shamrock imagery, parades, Irish music, and drinking Guinness stout or green-dyed beer. Chicago famously dyes its river green each year for the holiday. While the holiday has religious roots, it is celebrated secularly by people of Irish descent and enthusiasts worldwide. Over 34 million Americans claim Irish ancestry, making it one of the most enthusiastically observed ethnic heritage days in the US. This countdown tracks the exact days remaining until March 17.

Related Countdowns